White Dog (1982)

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Directed by Samuel Fuller.

Starring Burl Ives, Kristy McNichol, Lynne Moody, Paul Winfield, Jameson Parker.

A little-seen film, suppressed by Paramount studio executives and never released theatrically in the U.S., this drama is a powerful saga about racism. Julie Sawyer (Kristy McNichol) hits a handsome white dog with her car one night and then nurses it back to health. One day, the theretofore mild-mannered dog saves her life by viciously attacking and killing a rapist who breaks into her home. Lucy discovers that the dog has been trained to attack black skin. She consults an animal trainer, Carruthers (Burl Ives), who urges her to have the dog exterminated. But a maverick black trainer, Keys (Paul Winfield), who has tried before to break the training of such dogs but never succeeded, steps in. Director Sam Fuller had made other controversial films, but this one frightened studio executives, who deep-sixed it. It was hailed by critics when it was released in Europe. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide

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WHITE DOG (Uncut!)
by digitalconquest in digitalconquest Blog

loved it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"The full uncut version of the film that scared studios so much that they withdrew the movie from U.S. theaters, even after severe cuts were made! Rarely seen due to controversy, Samuel Fuller’s horrific tale of blind racism is a powerful and engaging movie. Kristy McNichol accidentally hits a beautiful white German Shepard with her car on the way home. She saves the dog and then decides to keep it when it returns the favor after a serial rapist attacks her! It doesn’t take long before she is convinced that her new pet and protector is a White Dog, trained to attack black people by racist monsters! Knowing it isn’t the dog’s fault she turns to Burl Ives and Paul Winfield to kill the hate rather than the animal! It’s all highly illegal and their good intentions may land them in prison if the dog escapes and kills again! Not only does this version contain the film the way director Samuel Fuller intended it also has an incredible score by Ennio Morricone a ... " [More]

Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

liked it.

After attracting unwarranted controversy, director Samuel Fuller's White Dog went unreleased in the U.S. by its distributor, Paramount Pictures, effectively severing the auteur's ties to Hollywood once and for all. A disturbing, allegorical tale of a dog trained to attack only black people, the film was attacked on charges of racism long before its intended release date. In response, Paramount attempted to edit the movie; but Fuller took his final cut to Europe, where it found a more appreciative audience. A master at lurid, sensational social commentary, Fuller directs the film in his characteristically biting, urgent manner. Adapted by the director and Curtis Hanson from Romain Gary's novel, the material is as edgy and provocative anything in Fuller's oeuvre, though it's clear the film decried the central concept of racial hatred. All of the performers, including Paul Winfield, the little-seen Burl Ives, and the once-popular Kristy McNichol, handle the difficult material with care. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide

Tags: actor , adoption , animal , attack , dog
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